Norma Moore, General Manager at the family-run garden centre, said: “We’re hoping as many people as possible come along to the garden centre for the official launch of our 30^th anniversary celebrations, which will cover a 30 week period until September. “At 11am on March 10 the garden centre owners’, the Bellman family will unveil a commemorative terracotta display created by children from the area.

“The event will include free entertainment from North Somerset Community Brass Band and VIP guests.”

The first 70 visitors will receive a free slice of anniversary cake and children will be given free balloons while stocks last.

Norma added: “Our Pet and Reptile Centre is also launching a 30 item Big Pet Draw on the same day. The fun for all the family will continue throughout the weekend and during the following week, which is also our Spring Open Week.”

Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year. The garden centre was launched in 1982 and is run by the Bellman family with the help of nearly 100 staff. Some have been with the business for more than 25 years.

There has been a nursery on the site since the early 1900s growing plants, tomatoes and other salad crops.

The garden centre was opened in the spring of 1982 and was built almost entirely by the staff.

Norma added: “The centre is situated in about seven acres and in 1982 it employed 13 full and part-time staff.”

According to the BBC’s Domesday Re-loaded project, in 1986 the garden centre sold a wide range of salad crops including courgettes, French beans, cucumbers and outdoor runner beans.

Norma continued: “All sorts of plants were also sold, everything from fruit trees to roses and shrubs. In the 1980s our most popular plants were dwarf conifers, clematis, herbaceous plants and roses.”

The 30^th anniversary launch weekend takes place at Monkton Elm Garden & Pet Centre, which is located just off the A38 at Monkton Heathfield between Bridgwater and Taunton, on Saturday, March 10 from 11am and on Sunday, March 11 during normal garden centre opening hours.

Norma explained: “We’ll continue the partying until Friday, September 28 and have a whole host of free activities planned for all the family.”

For further information about the event, please call the garden centre on 01823 412381 or visit www.monktonelmgardencentre.co.uk, log on to www.facebook.com/Monktonelm or follow the company on Twitter by visiting www.twitter.com/Monktonelm.

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